In what might be considered another mild surprise, the Flyers chose to protect rookie goalie Anthony Stolarz rather than veteran Michal Neuvirth, who signed a two-year, $5-million contract back in early March.

Also left unprotected: Forwards Jordan Weal (a potential unrestricted free agent) and alternate captain Pierre-Edouard Bellemare. On defense, Andrew MacDonald was not protected but his big contract makes it unlikely he will leave town.

It looks like the Flyers still believe Laughton can be an impact player someday in the NHL.

The 23-year-old center from Oakville, Ont. actually made it into a five-game trial with the Flyers way back in 2013. After a six-game stint with the Phantoms, he returned to his junior team (Oshawa Generals of OHL) for the 2013-14 campaign where he lit it up for 40 goals, 87 points in just 54 games.

He would play 102 games with the Flyers over the next two seasons but produced only seven goals in 71 games two seasons back and early this year was sent back to the Phantoms, where he produced 19 goals and 39 points in 60 games.

More importantly, his two-way game improved and he played a big part in getting the Phantoms to the Calder Cup playoffs for the first time since leaving Philadelphia nearly a decade ago.

Both Hextall and Flyers head coach Dave Hakstol have praised Laughton's work ethic. So maybe he really does have a future with the big team in Philadelphia.

Laughton played on a first line with Taylor Leier and Colin McDonald against the Hershey Bears in the first round of the playoffs (which the Phantoms lost).

Once nicknamed "Captain Canada" when he wore the "C'' for Team Canada in the World Juniors, Laughton was under a lot of pressure to score goals when he's really not a goal-scorer. He's more of a defensive type player.

He actually started last season with the Flyers but was sent down after just two games.

"He had a lot come at him early,'' Hextall said. "He comes up to the NHL, 'wow, one year in the minors, I'm in the NHL' and life's good.

"Maybe, a kid like that thinks he's got it made now. But he comes down here (to Allentown), he's done a really good job. He's become a better player, a better pro. I think he understands his skill set, he understands playing the whole sheet of the ice. I'm not sure he had that grasp.''

If he keeps improving, he could figure in the Flyers' future plans.

"It's just my confidence, it's a big part of my game,'' Laughton said during the Hershey series. "Just getting that back throughout the year, I think it took a little bit of time.

"This year has been good for me. I think I've taken a step forward.''

Meanwhile, any questions about the worth of Stolarz to the organization appear to have been answered.

The 23-year-old Edison, N.J., native by way of Jackson impressed in a brief trial with the Flyers this season while Neuvirth was hurt.

He went 2-1-1 with a 2.07 goals-against average and a .928 save percentage, including a brilliant shutout of the Red Wings in Detroit.

He's currently sidelined with a foot injury which kept him out of the Hershey playoff series. But the Flyers thought enough of him (and perhaps are confident Vegas won't take Neuvirth) to keep him in their future plans.